Der Gemeindebegriff in der Schweiz und die Bedeutung der verschiedenen Gemeinden, dargestellt am Beispiel der Gemeinde Altst?tten

摘要

This article deals with the concept and the mode ofexistence of the Community (Gemeinde) in Switzerland. Following a brief discussion of the origin ofthe different communities and their present legalgroundwork, the significance of individual communities is illustrated by an example – Altst?ttenin the Rhine Valley (the canton of St. Gall).In addition to the Politische Gemeinde, there existthe Ortsgemeinde which consists of nineteen subdivisionscalled Rhoden, ten denominational Schulgemeinden and two Roman Catholic and one Protestant Kirchgemeinde.The Politische Gemeinde (political Community) performsall the public tasks of the Community suchas the police, the fire brigade, public Utilities, landregistry, etc.The Ortsgemeinde (Organisation of the Citizens ofAltst?tten) has Charge of its own extensive landeproperty, and reserves the right to decide upon thematters concerned with naturalization and citizenship.The Schulgemeinde (school Community) is responsible for organizing the eight- to nine-year educationfor children with no Charge.The Kirchgemeinden (parishes) takes care of churchaffairs.Every resident of Altst?tten is a member of the Politische Gemeinde and a Schulgemeinde, and, if hbelongs to one of the two confessions, also ofKirchgemeinde. Only if he is the Citizen of Altst?ttenten, he has a membership in the Ortsgemeinde as